My Fight Song – Update Post Surgery

Hi Everyone! I’m so excited to share that I will start getting back into blogging. As mentioned before, I have some pre-published posts that were created prior to surgery that will start going live. Before any of those posts go live, I wanted to give you guys an update. You all have been so kind to reach out to me throughout my journey with cancer, that you all deserve to know what is going on.

Before jumping right into an update, I first want to THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH. On Instagram, Facebook, emails, and this post, you all had such kind, sweet, and wonderful words. All the well wishes mean so much to me! I know I said I would respond to every comment, but I apologize that I couldn’t do it. I didn’t expect the volume of comments and emails, but I just want to let you guys know I really appreciate it! I just feel so blessed. I read every single comment and it brought me to tears. You all have nothing but wonderful things to say! Some of you shared your story with me and I thank you for letting me know I am not alone. You all are brave individuals! Want to know how powerful all your kind words and gestures were? I went into my surgery feeling at ease. I felt comfortable and ready and that is all because of YOU. So thanks to you all (including my family & friends) for everything. Much love to you all!

Me & my oncologist. This was at my last day of chemo (over a month ago)

Ok now let’s get right to it! My surgery was a success! As a recap (you can also check this and this post), I underwent a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The surgery took about 8-9 hours and I was in recovery for a few hours until they transferred me to ICU (Intensive Care Unit). Per my surgeons, it went very well. I was in the hospital for 3 days. Let me tell you, I knew I was going to be in pain, but man this pain was unbearable! I never thought I could feel this way. Any movement would cause pain. I needed assistance to sit up, stand up, and go to the bathroom. Honestly, I thought I had to be in the hospital for much longer. On the 3rd day, my team of doctors said I was ready to go home. I thought they were crazy but they told me it will help me feel better. I barely could walk and thought they didn’t know what they were talking about.

This is me right before chemo.

The first couple days at home were definitely an adjustment. I wasn’t used to having people do almost everything for me and I had to get used to walking to the bathroom on my own. Standing up and walking was the worst because I felt the incisions more. After the first couple days I was able to get off the prescribed pain medications. I guess my team of doctors knew what they were talking about being at home because I felt like I was healing better. From then on, I was seeing improvements every day.

During the surgery, they gave me 4 drains. Two on each side. I was ambitious thinking I can get my drains taken off after a week post surgery. That didn’t happen, but at least at each doctor visit, they were able to take off one drain. Currently, I only have one drain left.

I received the full pathology report of my breast tissues not too long ago. As I mentioned before, they thoroughly examined all the breast tissues they removed. Overall, 2 of 4 tumors completely disappeared and the other 2 were left with 4mm & 2mm. That is a significant improvement because my tumors were large. With that said, the doctors concluded I had a very strong partial response to treatments. It brought my cancer from a Stage 2A to a Stage 1A. I couldn’t be more happy! This means going forward no more chemo! I’m done with chemo!!!! All I need to do next is continue with targeted therapy. I just had my second cycle of this treatment and all went smoothly. After targeted therapy, my next treatment will be with Aromatase Inhibitors for 10 years. If things keep progressing as well as they are now, in 5 years (potentially sooner), I can be declared cancer free!

I am cautiously optimistic, but overall so happy with how things are progressing! I am so blessed and grateful for everything that is happening. My hair and eyebrows are slowly but surely coming back. I’m getting my energy back. The fact that I can say things are ‘coming back’ is a big step in the right direction. This recovery time has given me the opportunity to think about the people in my life, life goals, decisions I’m making, and what to do with my career. Like I said, these next few months are a time of transformation. For now, I can’t wait until I am fully recovered from surgery because man I can’t stand being at home all the time haha. Plus, I can’t wait to starting shooting and sharing Fall outfits. Until then, I hope you guys enjoy my remaining Summer outfits.

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Comments

You are so brave and so strong! I'm so happy to hear that your surgery went well and that you are home and recovering! And yay for moving fro Stage 2A to Stage 1A!! Thats wonderful! Sending you love! xo Bryn

So glad you commented on my blog so I stopped by and saw your update. I have been wondering how it went. YOU ARE AMAZING! I can only imagine this was a terribly painful surgery. You are so strong. All the love your way!

I've been thinking about you and was eagerly awaiting this update!! I am so thrilled to hear this news, to see your sweet face and know you're healing, progressing and your body getting stronger!!! Can't wait to see you stylin all kinds of goodness this Fall and continued prayers for you beautiful lady!!

I've been thinking about you lately, because I know you said you were staying offline while you recover. I am SO, SO incredibly happy to hear that you're doing well! I don't think anyone can truly understand what you're going through, but holy crap, you are STRONG!!!!!

Keep fighting and keep being incredibly awesome. You're such an inspiration! <3

I have been thinking about you! So glad both surgery and recovery went well. You are one of the strongest and bravest people I've had pleasure to "meet" via social media. Keep it up girl. Sending all the love your way.

Yes! Chemo Finito! Gosh girl, you are so amazing. Like, what a way to put life in perspective for all of us! I know being waited on can make you feel bored or worse, useless, but enjoy it! Your family loves you, and love is one of the strongest forces out there.

Welcome back! I am so happy that you are diong better and are okay. This post touched my heart since my mum just survived through breast cancer this year. Great and inspiring post dear. Wishing you all the best. ((hugs)) /MadisonFASHION TALES

I am so incredibly happy to hear that your surgery was successful and that you're healing! You've been in my prayers every day, and I grinned from ear to ear reading that you were down to Stage 1A. You are such an inspiration and a fighter. Wishing you love and a speedy recovery!Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture

I'm so happy to see you are back and everything went well! Your strength has been such an inspiration for everyone. I'm very happy to know that the cancer is reduced and you are feeling so good already! I hope the fast recovery continues!

You're so brave and strong! I'm so happy to hear that you're getting better and wish you all the best! I hope that your fast recovery continues, and never forget what an amazing person you are and a true inspiration!

You beautiful, beautiful girl! Once again your courage screams through your words. You are such a fighter and kicked this thing in the butt! Never stop fighting! I hope once your healing process is over and your life return to the way it was, you continue to help other woman going through this. I know if I were in your shoes, having someone to look up to would make all the difference. Sending much love your way! <3

You have been on my mind a lot Rach! It's so great to hear that your surgery was a success and that you're starting to feel like yourself again. So much great news here! Sending love and a virtual hug and hope to see you very soon!

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Hello, It’s Me

Hello! I’m Rach DiMare, and I am the girl behind RD’s Obsessions. Ever since I was a little girl, I had a love for creating outfits. Coming from a very large extended family, I always saw family parties as an opportunity to create and showcase my favorite fashion trend & outfit and became the family’s go-to fashionista.
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Chicago, IL

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